Inhibition of Casein Kinase 2 Impairs Wnt Signaling and Cell Survival in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Blood ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 128 (22) ◽  
pp. 2050-2050
Author(s):  
Christina Wu ◽  
Fitzgerald S Lao ◽  
Emily Nan ◽  
Hongying Li ◽  
Michael Y. Choi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Wnt Signaling ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Casein Kinase ◽  
Casein Kinase 2 ◽  
Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽  
Similar Reduction ◽  
Gene Assay

Abstract The oncogenic Wnt pathway is aberrantly activated in most CLL clones, and hence is an attractive target for therapy. The casein kinase 2 (CK2) enzyme is an established positive regulator of Wnt signaling. The inhibitor Silmitasertib, also known as CX-4945, is a nanomolar inhibitor of CK2. It has been reported that CK2 is overexpressed in CLL. Here we have investigated the effects of CX-4945 on WNT signaling in primary CLL cells. We confirmed that CX-4945 displayed in vitro cytotoxic activity toward CLL cells at very low µM concentration, as previously reported by others. However, at least 2-3 fold higher concentration of CX-4945 was required to achieve a similar toxicity against normal PBMC. Previously, our laboratory has successfully utilized a short-term CLL "parking" model in immunodeficient RAG/gamma chain knock out (RG-KO) mice to evaluate the in vivo efficacy and potential toxicity of anti-CLL agents. CX-4945 at dosages of 0.3-10 mg/kg was administered by oral gavage daily for 6 days to mice injected i.p. with 10 million CLL cells. These dosages of drug were well tolerated, and potently inhibited CLL persistence in the xenotransplanted mice. In a reporter gene assay, CX-4945 dose-dependently inhibited Wnt target gene expression. Furthermore, inhibition of dishevelled-2 (Dvl-2) protein expression was observed in primary CLL patient samples treated with 3-10 µM CX-4945 for 4-16 hours. Similar reduction in p-GSK3b(S9) protein was also observed. Quantitative RT-PCR also confirmed down regulation of b-catenin gene expression in primary CLL patient samples treated with 10 µM CX-4945 for 4h. Further molecular analyses of predictive or correlative biomarkers is ongoing using Nanostring PanCancer multipathway gene analysis. In a preliminary study, we found that CX-4945 perturbed the expression of multiple genes implicated in CLL development and survival. In summary, the CK2 inhibitor CX-4945 inhibited Wnt signaling and CLL survival, and displayed oral activity in mice. CK2 inhibitors are thus potential therapeutic agents for CLL. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Primary Bone Marrow-Derived MSC Subsets Have Distinct Wnt-Signatures Compared to Conventionally Cultured MSC and Differ in Their Capacity to Support Hematopoiesis in Vitro,

Blood ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 118 (21) ◽  
pp. 3414-3414 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marijke W Maijenburg ◽  
Marion Kleijer ◽  
Kim Vermeul ◽  
Erik P.J. Mul ◽  
Floris P.J. van Alphen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Wnt Signaling ◽  
Mononuclear Cells ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Wnt Proteins

Abstract Abstract 3414 Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) are of promising therapeutic use to suppress immunogenic responses following transplantation, and to support expansion of hematopoietic stem- and progenitors cells (HSPC) from small transplants derived for instance from cord blood. Culture-expanded MSC produce a wide variety and quantity of Wnt-proteins and the crucial role of Wnt-signaling in the hematopoietic stem cell niche is well established. However, studies addressing Wnt-signaling in MSC have (i) only focused on culture-expanded MSC and (ii) did not discriminate between phenotypically distinct subpopulations which are present in bulk cultures of expanded MSC. Recently we identified three new subpopulations of MSC in human bone marrow (BM) based on expression of CD271 and CD146: CD271brightCD146−, CD271brightCD146+, CD271−CD146+. These fractions co-express the “classical” MSC markers CD90 and CD105 and lack expression of CD45 and CD34 (Maijenburg et al, Blood 2010, 116, 2590). We and others demonstrated that the adult BM-derived CD271brightCD146− and CD271brightCD146+ cells contain all colony forming units-fibroblasts (Maijenburg et al, Blood 2010, 116, 2590; Tormin et al, Blood 2010, 116, 2594). To investigate how these primary subsets functionally compare to conventional, culture-expanded MSC, we investigated their Wnt-signature and hematopoietic support capacity. To this end, we sorted CD271brightCD146− and CD271brightCD146+ cells from human adult BM (n=3) and compared their Wnt-signatures obtained by Wnt-PCR array to the profiles from cultured MSC from the same donors. Fifteen genes were consistently differentially expressed in the two sorted uncultured subsets compared to their conventionally cultured counterparts. Expression of CCND1, WISP1 and WNT5B was strongly increased, and WNT5A was only detected in the conventionally cultured MSC. In contrast, WNT3A was exclusively expressed by sorted primary CD271brightCD146− and CD271brightCD146+ cells, that also expressed higher levels of JUN, LEF1 and WIF1. The differences in Wnt (target)-gene expression between CD271brightCD146− and CD271brightCD146+ cells were more subtle. The Wnt-receptors LRP6 and FZD7 were significantly higher expressed in CD271brightCD146+ cells, and a trend towards increased expression in the same subset was observed for CTNNB1, WNT11 and MYC. When the sorted subsets were cultured for 14 days (one passage), the differences in Wnt-related gene expression between the subsets was lost and the expanded sorted cells acquired an almost similar Wnt-signature as the MSC cultured from BM mononuclear cells from the same donors. The cultured subsets lost the expression of Wnt3a and gained the expression of Wnt5a, similar to the unsorted MSC cultured from the same donors in parallel. Despite the loss of a distinct Wnt-signature, co-culture experiments combining the sorted MSC subsets with human HSPC revealed that CD271brightCD146+ cells have a significantly increased capacity to support HSPC in short-term co-cultures (2 weeks) compared to CD271brightCD146− cells (p<0.021, n=3), which was analyzed in hematopoietic colony assays following co-culture. In contrast, a trend towards better long-term hematopoietic support (co-culture for 6 weeks) was observed on CD271brightCD146− cells. In conclusion, we demonstrate for the first time that primary sorted uncultured MSC subsets have a distinct Wnt-signature compared to cultured unsorted MSC and display differences in hematopoietic support. As it was recently shown that CD271brightCD146− and CD271brightCD146+ MSC localize to separate niches in vivo (Tormin et al, Blood 2011), our data indicate that the two MSC subsets are not necessarily distinct cell types and that the different Wnt-signature may be a reflection of these distinct microenvironments. Cell culturing for only one passage dramatically changed the Wnt-signature of the sorted MSC subsets, indicating that Wnt-signaling in in vitro expanded MSC does not resemble the Wnt-signature in their tissue resident counterparts in vivo. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Role of T Cell-Derived IL-21 in the Proliferation of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Cells,

Blood ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 118 (21) ◽  
pp. 3871-3871
Author(s):  
Maria F. Pascutti ◽  
Jacqueline M. Tromp ◽  
Margot Jak ◽  
Ingrid A.M. Derks ◽  
Rene A.W. van Lier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
T Cells ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽  
Activated T Cells ◽  
The One ◽  
Blocking Antibodies

Abstract Abstract 3871 Introduction: Lymph nodes (LN) from chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) patients contain characteristic proliferation centres, which are interspersed with CD154+ CD4+ T cells. We have previously shown that in vitro stimulation of peripheral blood (PB) CLL cells with CD154-expressing fibroblasts (3T40L) results in an apoptotic profile similar to the one found in LN (Smit et al, Blood 2007 Feb 15;109(4):1660; Kater et al, Br J Haematol 2004;127(4):404). However this stimulus fails to induce proliferation of CLL cells. In fact, the signals involved in CLL proliferation in vivo remain largely unknown. It has recently been described that IL-21 which is produced by activated T cells, has an essential role in activation and proliferation of normal B cells. The aim of this work was to analyze the contribution of IL-21 to the proliferation of CLL cells, both in vitro and in vivo. Results: We stimulated CLL cells with IL-21 in the presence or absence of 3T40L cells and assessed proliferation 5 days later. We observed an increase in the proliferation of CLL cells after the combined stimulation with CD40L and IL-21. In this setting, CLL cells divided once or twice. However, when fresh 3T40L cells and IL-21 were provided every 3–4 days, CLL cells could proliferate passed the fifth division. To analyze the contribution of IL-21 to proliferation in an in vitro setting better resembling the in vivo situation, we then studied the interaction between CLL cells and autologous activated T cells. CLL cells were positively selected from PB and cultured with autologous T cells, activated with CD3/CD28 antibodies (Tact), in the presence/absence of blocking antibodies against CD40L or IL-21 receptor (IL-21R). Proliferation was assessed 2 days later. Co-culture with Tact led to a CD40L- and IL-21-dependent increase in Ki67+CLL cells. Next, we assessed the gene expression profile of CLL cells stimulated with CD40L and/or IL-21 by microarray analysis. CLL cells were stimulated overnight with medium, 3T40L cells, IL-21 or the combination, and then RNA was obtained and analyzed with Affimetrix U133 2.0 microarrays. In CD40L-stimulated cells more than 30 genes were up-regulated by IL-21 (fold induction>4; p<0.005), among which there were components of the JAK-STAT pathway like STAT3, and molecules related to cell proliferation like BCL3 and GS02. This information will allow us to generate an IL-21 signalling signature related to CLL cell proliferation that we will use to interrogate gene expression changes in CLL cells from LN samples. Finally, we wished to ascertain whether IL-21 is being produced in vivo in CLL. For this, we performed IHC stainings on paraffin LN samples from untreated patients. We were able to observe IL-21 production by large cells, scattered among small lymphocytes, which are currently being characterized. Conclusion: Our results indicate that IL-21 might play a role in the proliferation of CLL cells in vivo. This is not only important for understanding the biology of CLL but might also open new venues to treatment. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

scholarly journals The Wnt signaling pathway effector TCF7L2 is upregulated by insulin and represses hepatic gluconeogenesis

2012 ◽  
Vol 303 (9) ◽  
pp. E1166-E1176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wilfred Ip ◽  
Weijuan Shao ◽  
Yu-ting Alex Chiang ◽  
Tianru Jin
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Wnt Signaling ◽  
Wnt Signaling Pathway ◽  
Glucose Production ◽  
Hepatic Gluconeogenesis

Certain single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in transcription factor 7-like 2 (TCF7L2) are strongly associated with the risk of type 2 diabetes. TCF7L2 and β-catenin (β-cat) form the bipartite transcription factor cat/TCF in stimulating Wnt target gene expression. cat/TCF may also mediate the effect of other signaling cascades, including that of cAMP and insulin in cell-type specific manners. As carriers of TCF7L2 type 2 diabetes risk SNPs demonstrated increased hepatic glucose production, we aimed to determine whether TCF7L2 expression is regulated by nutrient availability and whether TCF7L2 and Wnt regulate hepatic gluconeogenesis. We examined hepatic Wnt activity in the TOPGAL transgenic mouse, assessed hepatic TCF7L2 expression in mice upon feeding, determined the effect of insulin on TCF7L2 expression and β-cat Ser675 phosphorylation, and investigated the effect of Wnt activation and TCF7L2 knockdown on gluconeogenic gene expression and glucose production in hepatocytes. Wnt activity was observed in pericentral hepatocytes in the TOPGAL mouse, whereas TCF7L2 expression was detected in human and mouse hepatocytes. Insulin and feeding stimulated hepatic TCF7L2 expression in vitro and in vivo, respectively. In addition, insulin activated β-cat Ser675 phosphorylation. Wnt activation by intraperitoneal lithium injection repressed hepatic gluconeogenic gene expression in vivo, whereas lithium or Wnt-3a reduced gluconeogenic gene expression and glucose production in hepatic cells in vitro. Small interfering RNA-mediated TCF7L2 knockdown increased glucose production and gluconeogenic gene expression in cultured hepatocytes. These observations suggest that Wnt signaling and TCF7L2 are negative regulators of hepatic gluconeogenesis, and TCF7L2 is among the downstream effectors of insulin in hepatocytes.

Enhanced In Vivo activation of Adoptively Transferred Genetically Targeted T Cells Following Cyclophosphamide Chemotherapy: Initial Results From a Phase I Clinical Trial Treating CLL Patients with Autologous CD19-Targeted T Cells.

Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 114 (22) ◽  
pp. 3436-3436
Author(s):  
Renier J. Brentjens ◽  
Daniel Hollyman ◽  
Jae Park ◽  
Elmer Santos ◽  
Raymond Yeh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Autologous Tumor

Abstract Abstract 3436 Poster Board III-324 Patient T cells may be genetically modified to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) targeted to antigens expressed on tumor cells. We have initiated a clinical trial treating chemotherapy-refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients with autologous T cells modified to express the 19-28z CAR targeted to the CD19 antigen expressed on most B cell malignancies. In the first cohort of this trial, patients were infused with the lowest planned dose of modified T cells alone. All patients treated in this cohort experienced low-grade fevers following modified T cell infusion, and 2 of 3 treated patients exhibited subjective and laboratory evidence of transient reductions in tumor burden. The first patient treated on the second cohort of this study received prior cyclophophamide chemotherapy followed by the same dose of modified T cells administered to the first cohort of patients. This patient experienced persistent fevers, dyspnea, hypotension, renal failure, and died 44 hours following modified T cell infusion, likely secondary to sepsis. Modified T cells were not detectable in the peripheral blood of treated patients at 1 hour following completion of T cell infusion. However, post mortem analyses revealed a rapid infiltration of targeted T cells into anatomical sites of tumor involvement. Serum levels of the inflammatory cytokines IL-5, IL-8, and GM-CSF, but not TNFα, markedly and rapidly increased following infusion of genetically targeted T cells in this patient, mirroring the in vitro cytokine secretion profile of this patient's T cells, and consistent with marked in vivo activation of the modified T cells. Similar cytokine signatures were not found in patients from the first cohort. Significantly, serum cytokine analyses from the second cohort patient revealed a marked increase in the pro-proliferative cytokines IL-2, IL-7, IL-12, and IL-15 following cyclophosphamide therapy, in contrast to the baseline levels found in the first cohort. This report demonstrates the high efficiency trafficking of CD19-targeted T cells and in vivo activation of T cells encoding a second generation CD28/zeta chain-based chimeric antigen receptor. Furthermore, these data highlight mechanisms whereby cyclophosphamide may generate an in vivo milieu that enhances the anti-tumor efficacy of autologous tumor targeted T cells. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Spontaneous in Vitro Death of CLL Cells Can Be Prevented by Mitochondrial Stabilization Via CD160 Signaling.

Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 114 (22) ◽  
pp. 4372-4372
Author(s):  
Feng-Ting Liu ◽  
Li Jia ◽  
Timothy Farren ◽  
Jerome Giustiniani ◽  
Armand Bensussan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mitochondrial Membrane ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Membrane Integrity ◽  
Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽  
Cellular Growth ◽  
Spontaneous Apoptosis ◽  
Cytochrome C Release ◽  
Phosphorylated Akt

Abstract Abstract 4372 B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is an incurable disease, which is at least partly attributable to the majority of cells being in the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle and expressing high levels of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins. Despite their prolonged survival in vivo, CLL cells rapidly undergo spontaneous apoptosis in vitro, suggesting that survival signals in vivo have been lost in in vitro culture conditions. CD160, a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-linked surface antigen, was found to be expressed by CLL cells. In normal NK and T-cells, CD160 mediates cellular growth and activation, but its role in CLL is unclear. Using monoclonal antibodies to CD160 (CL1-R2 or BY55 - non cross blocking) led to increased expression of Bcl-2, Bcl-xL and Mcl-1 anti-apoptotic proteins and protected CLL from spontaneous apoptosis in vitro - mean cell viability increased from 66.8 to 79.4% (n = 17, p = 0.02). These CD160-mediated events were also accompanied by decreased cytochrome C release and prevention of mitochondrial membrane potential collapse, indicating stabilization of both inner and outer mitochondrial membrane integrity. PI3K/AKT signalling is a well known survival pathway in cancer cells and in normal lymphocytes CD160 has been shown to act via PI3K/AKT. Activation of CD160 in CLL led to phosphorylated AKT, while inhibition of PI3K by wortmannin completely blocked AKT phosphorylation and CD160-mediated protection from apoptosis. In summary, the activation of CD160 protected CLL cells from spontaneous cell death in vitro via a PI3-kinase/AKT pathway. This improved survival was also associated with increased Bcl-2, Bcl-xL and Mcl-1 expression and preservation of mitochondrial function. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Unique Effects of p53−/− Leukemic Cells On Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Gene Expression Profile in Vitro

Blood ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 120 (21) ◽  
pp. 3468-3468
Author(s):  
Xiaoyang Ling ◽  
Ye Chen ◽  
Peter P. Ruvolo ◽  
Vivian Ruvolo ◽  
Zhiqiang Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Cell Biology ◽  
Stromal Cell ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Leukemic Cells ◽  
Bone Marrow Niche ◽  
In Vivo Experiments ◽  
Cell Gene Expression

Abstract Abstract 3468 Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) participate in the generation of the microenvironmental bone marrow niche which protects normal and leukemic stem cells from injuries, including chemotherapy. MSC produce numerous factors that aid in this function; however, little is known about how leukemic cells affect MSC. In this study, paired murine AML cells, MLL/ENL/FIT3-ITD/p53−/− and MLL/ENL/FIT3-ITD/p53wt, originally derived from C57BL/6 mice (Zuber et al. Genes & Dev. 2009), were co-cultured with MSC from the same strain. After 48 hrs, MSC were isolated by FACS sorting using CD45−/PDGFr+ as markers. Total RNA was profiled on Illumina WG6 mouse whole-genome bead arrays by standard procedures. The significance analysis of microarrays (SAM) method identified 429 differentially-expressed genes (DEG) whose expression in MSC differed significantly (false discovery rate, 10%) in co-cultures with p53−/− (C78) vs. p53wt (C147) leukemic cells. Differences in these DEG were highly consistent in replicates (Figure 1). The results demonstrate that: 1) p53 status (p53−/− vs. p53wt) of AML cells affects GEP patterns in co-cultured MSC. Comparison of the GEP in MSC co-cultured with p53−/− (78) or p53wt (147) (Fig 1) identified the following 5 genes that showed the most significant differences (up- or down-regulated): up-regulated: WNT16, WNT5, IGFBp5, GCNT1, ATP1B1; down-regulated: NOS2, DCN, CCL7, CCL2, CAR9, CCL4. These were selected for qPCR validation, and the results confirmed the array data. In addition, immunohistochemical staining showed that WNT16 was up-regulated in MSC co-cultured with p53wt leukemic cells. In addition, CXCL5 was found up-regulated in MSC co-cultured with p53−/− leukemic cells. These results were consistent with the GEP data. 2) Leukemic cells alter MSC Signaling proteins in vitro: Western blotting showed that Stat3, Akt, PTEN, CXCL5 and HIF-1α were up- regulated in MSC co-cultured with p53−/− leukemic cells as compared to p53wt leukemic cells (48 hrs). Additional analyses showed that the downstream targets of HIF-1α, VEGFa and VEGFc, but not VEGFb, were up-regulated. Taken together, these results suggest that 1) leukemic cells with different p53 genetic background co-cultured with normal MSC have profoundly differential effects on GEP of normal MSC; 2) MSC co-cultured with p53−/− leukemic cells resulted in increased levels of onco-proteins such as Akt and HIF-1α when compared to MSC co-cultured with p53wt leukemic cells. Results suggest, for the first time, that the genetics of leukemic cells determines gene expression in co-cultured MSC. In vivo experiments are in progress to provide in vivo evidence for the existence of a novel model of leukemia-stroma interactions where the genetics of the tumor cell impacts stromal cell biology. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Inhibition of Wnt Signaling By Dimethyl Fumarate Results in in Vitro and in Vivo Clearance of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Cells and Has Additive Activity with Ibrutinib

Blood ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 124 (21) ◽  
pp. 4683-4683 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina C.N. Wu ◽  
Fitzgerald Lao ◽  
Hongying Li ◽  
Laura Rassenti ◽  
Thomas J. Kipps ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽  
Wnt Signaling ◽  
Dimethyl Fumarate ◽  
Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽  
Aggressive Disease ◽  
Cell Clearance ◽  
Survival Pathways ◽  
A Cell

Abstract Background: Small molecules that inhibit B cell survival pathways are effective treatments for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). However, such therapies are not curative, and resistance can develop in some patients. Combination therapies with agents that inhibit several CLL survival pathways may allow for more complete responses, and help prevent treatment resistance. Previous data has shown that the pro-survival Wnt pathway is highly active in CLL and is a negative prognostic factor, and therefore is an attractive target for novel therapies to combine with agents like ibrutinib. Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) is an orally bioavailable fumaric acid ester with immunomodulatory properties, including inhibition of the NF-kB signaling cascade. DMF has been evaluated as a systemic treatment of psoriasis as well as multiple sclerosis. Our group previously observed anti-CLL effects of DMF, mediated in part through oxidative stress. Herein we describe a novel mechanism of action of DMF and ibrutinib, mediated by inhibition of the Wnt signaling pathway. Methods: Effects of DMF and ibrutinib on Wnt signaling were determined using a cell-based LEF/TCF beta-lactamase reporter gene FRET assay. In vitro activity was assessed in primary CLL from patients with indolent and aggressive disease. In vivo activity was evaluated in Rag2-/- gamma chain-/- immunodeficient (RG-KO) mice, which were engrafted with human CLL cells by intraperitoneal injection. DMF and/or ibrutinib were administrated to mice by oral gavage, at clinically used doses and schedules. Results: Both DMF and ibrutinib have an alpha-beta unsaturated ketone that can react with essential free cysteines in the Wnt-driven LEF1 transcription factor. This effect was confirmed by a cell-based reporter gene assay in which DMF inhibited LEF/TCF dependent gene expression at low μM levels. Ibrutinib also inhibited Wnt signaling activity in the same assay. In short term cultures, DMF was cytotoxic to primary CLL cells from patients with both indolent and aggressive disease, at low uM concentrations. The combination of DMF and ibrutinib resulted in a higher degree of CLL cell clearance than achieved by either agent alone (p < 0.05 after multiple comparison adjustments, Dunnet’s method). To evaluate the effect in a preclinical CLL xenograft animal model, we administered DMF by oral lavage to RG-KO mice engrafted with human CLL cells. Doses ranging from 3 to 30 mg/kg BID for 7 days resulted in dose dependent clearance of CLL cells compared to vehicle controls, without observable toxicity to the recipient animals. Moreover, the combination of DMF and ibrutinib resulted in a higher degree of CLL cell clearance than achieved by either agent alone. Preliminary FACS analyses revealed that DMF selectively targets CLL subpopulations of cells with aggressive characteristics, as assessed by CD38 expression. Further molecular analyses of predictive or correlative biomarkers are ongoing. Conclusions: DMF inhibits Wnt signaling, and has single agent activity as a treatment for CLL. The combination of DMF and ibrutinib is more effective than either agent alone, particularly in aggressive disease, and is well tolerated. Clinical trials of DMF in CLL are warranted, and are planned. This work is supported by a Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Specialized Center of Research Grant (7005-14) and by the CLL Research Consortium (5P01CA081534-14). Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

The BTK Inhibitor Ibrutinib Blocks SDF1/CXCR4 Mediated Migration of Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells

Blood ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 124 (21) ◽  
pp. 915-915
Author(s):  
Stuart A Rushworth ◽  
Lyubov Zaitseva ◽  
Megan Y Murray ◽  
Matthew J Lawes ◽  
David J MacEwan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽  
Cell Trafficking ◽  
Acute Myeloid

Abstract Introduction Despite recent significant progress in the understanding of the biology of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) the clinical outcomes for the majority of patients diagnosed with AML presently remain poor. Consequently, there is an urgent need to identify pharmacological strategies in AML, which are not only effective but can be tolerated by the older, less well patient. Recently our group and others have shown that there is high Bruton’s Tyrosine Kinase (BTK) phosphorylation and RNA expression in AML. Moreover, our recent study described for the first time that ibrutinib and BTK-targeted RNA interference reduced factor-induced proliferation of both AML cell lines and primary AML blasts, as well as reducing AML blast adhesion to bone marrow stromal cells. Inhibition of BTK has been shown to regulate chronic lymphocytic leukemia, mantle cell lymphoma and multiple myeloma cell migration by inhibiting SDF1 (stromal derived factor 1) induced CXCR4 regulated cell trafficking. Here we report that in human AML ibrutinib in addition functions in a similar way to inhibit SDF1/CXCR4-mediated AML migration at concentrations achievable in vivo. Methods To investigate the role of BTK in regulating AML migration we used both pharmacological inhibitor ibrutinib and genetic knockdown using a lentivirus mediated BTK targeted miRNA in primary AML blasts and AML cell lines. We examined migration of AML blasts and AML cells to SDF-1 using Transwell permeable plates with 8.0µM pores. Western blotting was used to examine the role of SDF-1 in regulating BTK, AKT and MAPK activation in primary AML blasts. Results We initially examined the expression of CXCR4 in human AML cell lines and found that 4/4 cell lines were positive for CXCR4 expression. Next we examined the effects of ibrutinib on the migration of the AML cell lines U937, MV4-11, HL60 and THP-1 in response to SDF1. We found that ibrutinib can inhibit the migration of all AML cell lines tested. We tested the in-vitro activity of ibrutinib on SDF-1 induced migration in a spectrum of primary AML blasts from a wide age spectrum of adult patients and across a range of WHO AML subclasses and found that ibrutinib significantly inhibits primary AML blast migration (n=12). Next we found that ibrutinib can inhibit SDF-1 induced BTK phosphorylation and downstream MAPK and AKT signalling in primary AML blast. Finally to eliminate the problems associated with off target ibrutinib activity we evaluated migration of AML cells lines using genetic inhibition of BTK. The introduction of BTK-specific miRNA dramatically inhibited the expression of BTK in THP-1 and HL60 and reduced SDF1 mediated migration confirming that BTK is involved in regulating AML migration in response to SDF1. Conclusions These results reported here provide a molecular mechanistic rationale for clinically evaluating BTK inhibition in AML patients and suggests that in some AML patients the blasts count may initially rise in response to ibrutinib therapy, analgous to similar clinical observations in CLL. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Surface IgM of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Cells Displays Unusual Glycans Indicative of Antigen Engagement In Vivo.

Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 114 (22) ◽  
pp. 55-55
Author(s):  
Graham Packham ◽  
Serge Krysov ◽  
Christopher Ian Mockridge ◽  
Kathy N Potter ◽  
Freda K Stevenson
Keyword(s):  
B Cells ◽  
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Variable Region ◽  
Immunoglobulin M ◽  
Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽  
Glycosylation Pattern ◽  
Mature Form

Abstract Abstract 55 Several lines of evidence support the idea that surface immunoglobulin M (sIgM) plays a key role in determining the clinical behavior of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). For example, the presence of somatic mutations in immunoglobulin variable region genes is a strong prognostic marker with unmutated CLL (U-CLL) associated with a poor outcome relative to mutated CLL (M-CLL). U-CLL also generally express higher levels of sIgM and retain the ability to signal via this receptor. In this study, we used surface biotinylation to analyse sIgM in CLL and discovered that it exists in two forms with differing mobility on SDS-PAGE. Treatment with glycosidases revealed that these forms were due to different N-glycosylation patterns in the μ constant region. One form is similar to that of normal B cells in bearing mature complex glycans common to most cell surface glycoproteins. The other is an immature mannosylated form more characteristic of endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-located μ chains. CLL cells expressed variable proportions of the immature mannosylated form and quantitative analysis demonstrated that, on average, the proportion of mannosylated sIgM was approximately 2-fold higher (p=0.006) in U-CLL compared to M-CLL. Although normal B cells isolated from blood expressed only the mature form of sIgM, in vitro treatment with anti-μ resulted in upregulation of the immature form, suggesting that glycan modification is a consequence of antigen exposure. Consistent with this, in vitro incubation of CLL cells was associated with increased expression of the mature form of sIgM. Phosphotyrosine analysis demonstrated that both forms of sIgM were able to signal following sIgM engagement in vitro. Taken together, these findings support the concept that CLL cells are continuously exposed to antigen in vivo. This process leads to a change in the N-glycosylation pattern of the re-expressed sIgM so that a mannosylated form predominates, especially in U-CLL. Strikingly, expression of mannosylated sIgM is also characteristic of follicular lymphoma, where it is constitutively displayed via N-glycosylation sites in the Ig variable region (Radcliffe et al. J Biol Chem. 2007; 282, 7405-15). Persistent mannosylation of sIgM appears to be a feature common to several B-cell malignancies, suggesting a role in pathogenesis. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Lenalidomide Reduces Survival of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Cells in Primary Co-Cultures by Altering the Myeloid Microenvironment

Blood ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 120 (21) ◽  
pp. 3894-3894
Author(s):  
Angela Schulz ◽  
Claudia Dürr ◽  
Thorsten Zenz ◽  
Stephan Stilgenbauer ◽  
Peter Lichter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Drug Effects ◽  
Surface Expression ◽  
Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽  
Cell Surface Expression ◽  
Clinical Activity ◽  
Altered Expression

Abstract Abstract 3894 Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells are highly dependent on their microenvironment. External stimuli provided by bone marrow stromal cells or non-malignant leukocytes are required for their survival and proliferation. Interestingly, peripheral blood-derived monocytes differentiate in the presence of CLL cells to so-called Nurse-like cells (NLCs), which are round or fibroblast-shaped adherent cells that were shown to promote survival of CLL cells in vitro and to exist in lymph nodes of CLL patients. In search of new therapeutic options for patients with CLL, the immunomodulatory drug lenalidomide turned out to have significant clinical activity in CLL. Lenalidomide does not induce apoptosis in CLL cells directly, but is rather believed to act via the microenvironment. Several studies described that it alters cytokine levels and the activation status of the cells. Further, a CLL-specific T-cell defect was shown to be repaired by lenalidomide, which might represent a major activity of this drug in CLL. However, its mechanism of action seems to be complex and is not well understood. As monocytes as well as NLCs are very effective in maintaining survival of CLL cells, we aimed to investigate whether lenalidomide interferes with these supportive cell-cell interactions. To do this, we established primary co-cultures of monocytes and CLL cells in the presence or absence of lenalidomide and observed a significantly decreased viability of CLL cells after 14 days of treatment, suggesting an impact of this drug on the survival support of NLCs. Therefore, we analyzed the immunophenotype of NLCs by flow cytometry, as well as the secretion of cytokines in the co-cultures by ELISA and antibody-coupled bead arrays. Among the effects induced by lenalidomide, we observed reduced cell surface expression of the MHC II protein HLA-DR on NLCs as well as lower levels of the chemokine CCL2, but higher levels of IL-10 in the culture supernatant, indicating an altered inflammatory milieu in the co-cultures. The enhanced IL-10 levels resulted in an increase in STAT1 phosphorylation in CLL cells as measured by Western blot analysis. As a consequence, enhanced expression of the adhesion molecule ICAM-1 (CD54) and an altered expression of cytoskeletal genes (e.g. RHOC and CORO1B) were observed in CLL cells after lenalidomide treatment. Chemotaxis assays using transwell culture dishes and SDF1-α as chemoattractant revealed an impaired migratory potential of lenalidomide-treated CLL cells, which was not due to reduced expression of the SDF1-α receptor CXCR4. In summary, our data show that lenalidomide reduces the survival support of NLCs for CLL cells in vitro, suggesting that this drug effects the myeloid microenvironment in CLL in vivo. Furthermore, lenalidomide impairs the migratory potential of CLL cells which may affect circulation and homing of CLL cells in vivo. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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